Limitless is our mighty army which is guarded by Bhishma , limited
indeed is their (pAndava-s) army which is guarded by Bhima.
Significance:
“अपर्याप्तं”
– can be translated also as ‘not
enough’ or ‘unorganised’ and “पर्याप्तं” -can be translated as ‘enough’
or ‘organised’. Duryodhana expresses his fear through his words explicitly in this
verse. With these meanings the verse can be translated as ‘Organised and enough’
is the army arranged by Bhima and ‘Unorganised and not-enough’ is our army
arranged by Bhishma. The selfishness, adamancy and Ego of Duryodhana has
resulted in this war. Even after so many warriors, standing by his side,
Duryodana’s fear perceives his mighty army as unorganised !!!! Duryodhana here
specifies the name of ‘Bhima’ as he considers Bhima as his perfectrival ->Yudhishtira – elder to him,will be handled by Drona or Bhishma; Arjuna-
he has Karna to face him; Nakula and SahAdeva-his brothers will handle them; Right
from childhood Duryodhana had an enemity towards Bhima , which we come to know
with many incidents in Mahabharatam.
This
Bhagavad-Gita which is the best book of Psycology teaches us a big lesson of
life, we have to start a deed only after assessing – our strength, enemies
strength, advantages and disadvantages , most importantly we must trust ourselves
and the people who stand by us. The comparison that Duryodhana does here is
just the result of his Ego and his insecurity. He has this thought - that , BhIshma
leads the Kaurava army only half-heartedly. Duryodhana’s thought that BhIshma may
let him down ,for his love for PAndava-s has made him utter these words.
अन्ये – other ; च – and; बहव:- many; शूरा
– warriors; मद् – for meअर्थे -त्यक्त – sacrificed; जीविता:- lives; नाना-
different ; शस्त्र- weapons; प्रहरणा: - use; सर्वे – all; युद्धविशारदा:- very
skillful in war tactics;
Meaning:
Many other warriors are also there in my army, who are equipped with different
types of weapons, who are skillful in war tactics, who have sacrificed their
life(happiness) for me.
Significance:
One more verse which
indicates the insecurity and Ego of Duryodhana. While listing the pAndava-s
army, he listed many warriors, where in coming to his army , he has listed only
a few, this is due to his insecurity. He uses the term ‘मदर्थे’ – which means ‘for me’ , he says the
warriors are with him in this war just for his sake. While the truth is many
are at his side just for Bhishma, Drona and their dedication to the Country.
We
have the word ‘shastra’ in this verse. ‘Astra’ and ‘Shastra’ are used commonly
for weapons, there is a subtle difference in the meaning. ‘Astra’denotes the weapons which can be fired,
missiles kind. Astra-s have to be invoked by reciting hymns. In Ramayana,
Balakanda sarga-27, Vishwamitra blesses SriRama with Astra-s, the chapter
describes the nature of some Astra-s like Brahmastra. The next chapter gives an
account of the counter missiles ‘upasamhaara-astra’ too. ‘Shastra’denotes those weapons which are fought
by holding in hands , like sword, mace etc.
भवान् – you; भीष्मश्च – and Bhishma; कर्णश्च – and Karna; कृपश्च् – and Kripacarya; समितिञ्जय: - who are victorious in
battle; अश्वत्थामा – Ashwattama; विकर्णश्च – and Vikarna; सौमदत्ति: - Bhurishrava; तथैव च – and thus also;
Meaning:
You, Bhishma pitamaha, Karna, Kripacarya who are all
victorious in battles. And thus even are – Ashwattama, Vikarna and Bhurishrava.
Significance:
Duryodhana,
who has already transgressed his limits, now realises it. While naming the
warriors in his army, he places Dronacarya first and Bhishma pitamaha in the
second place. He also names Kripacarya, brother-in-law of Dronacarya in the
first few warrior list. Even though Dronacarya wont mind the words of Duryodhana,
he tries his best to coverup for the damage done by him, by his words.
Dronacarya: Dronacarya,the son of sage Bharadwaja , is the disciple of
Parasurama. He is well versed in vedas, shAstra-s and shastra-s. He is well-versed
in war tactics too. He has deeper knowledge of many special weapons like- Agneya
astra. He developed a good friendship with Drupada, but due to some
misunderstanding they turned out to be foes. He got half of Drupada’s empire to
the north of river Ganges. Drupada performed a yagna , out of which he got a son
Dhrishtadyumna, who is born to kill Dronacarya. Dronacarya was the Guru of
Kaurava-s, PAndava-s and Dhrishtadyumna too. Among His son Ashwattama was a
good friend of Duryodhana. Dronacarya, being a dutiful person, took the side Duryodhana
in Mahabharata war. He was killed by Dhrishtadyumna.
Bhishma: Bhishma, is the son of King Shantanu and Gnaga. He is the avatar of
the vasu – dyo. He was named ‘Devavrata’. He was taken by Ganges with her, after
completion of his education, he returned back to his father Shantanu. He took a
vow of ‘ Celibacy ‘ throughout his life, he was known as ‘Bhisma – which means
one who has taken a terrible vow’. His father granted him the boon of ‘icchA
mrityu’ to Devavrata. He also promised his father that, he wont leave this world
until the kingdom is in safehands. He stood by the kingdom all his life. During
the marriage of his brothers, he won Amba, Ambalika and Ambika – the princesses
of Kashya, in the swamvara for his brothers. Due to some confusions, Amba was
unable to marry neither viticyvirya nor her love – king saubala. She held
Bhisma responsible for her misfortune. She sacrificed her life in fire on
vowing that she will be the reason for Bhismas death. She was reborn as
Shikandi. Only with the help of Shikandi, Pandavas were able to attack Bhishma.
He left this world only after knowing that hastinapura is in the hands of a righteous
person Yudhishtira
Karna : Karna is the first son on Kunti. He was born for Surya Deva and Kunti.
Kunti being a young girl,was curious to test the boon given by sage Durvasa.
She uttered the mantra by praying to Surya deva. Karna was born as an amsa of
Surya Deva. She wrapped the kid, kept in a box and made it float in a river.
Karna was rescued and brought up by the couple Adhiratha ( charioteer in
hastinapura) and Radha. He was popularly known as Radhaeya. He developed a
great friendship with Duryodhana as a result of which, even after knowing that
he is the eldest of the Pandava-s , he stood by the side of Duryodhana in the
Mahabharata war.He was born with a kundela and a protecting shwild which
knowingly he donated them to Indra. He did not fight in the kaurava army till Bhishma
fought. He was the commander – in – chief for the next couple of days. He was
killed by Arjuna in the Mahabharata war. He is known for his Charity and Friendship
till date.
Vikarna :
He
was known for his Dharma, he was the only Kaurava who questioned the
humiliation of Draupadi and echoed the questions
Draupadi had already asked the Kuru elders, demanding that
his questions be answered.For
this when he was confronted by Bhima in the Mahabarata war , Bhima told him to
step aside as he knew vikarna was a man of dharma and didn’t want to kill him. But
vikarna refused and replied that it was his duty then to question the disrobing
of Draupadi and it is his duty now to fight alongside his brother. Thus did the
righteous vikarna leave the mortal world doing his duty to his brother.
Ashwattama : Son of
Dronacarya , is a well – versed in vedas , shAstras and sashtras. He is a good
friend of Duryodhana. He was in the side of the Kauravas during the Mahabarata
war . he killed the upapandavas and many other soldiers at the dead of the
night to revenge Duryodhana’s death. He also drove the brahmatra to Uttara’s
womb to destroy the race of Pandava . the child was saved by Krishna and
ashwattama was crused by Krishna to be a cAndAlA for his evil deed.
Saumadatti :also known as Bhurisravas , Son ofking Somadatta
, grandson of Balhika , who was the elder brother of Shantanu. He took the side of kauravas in the mahabarata
war . Bhurisravas , attempted to kill SAtyaki who was unarmed, was paid back in
his own death in the same manner . He is a perfect example of the saying :यथा कर्म तथा फलम् ।
अस्माकं -ours; तु – is thus; विशिष्टा – competent ; ये -who are; तान् – them; निबोध – will let you know; द्विजोत्तम
– O, the best of Brahmins; नायका – heroes; मम-my; सैन्यस्य- of army; संज्ञार्थं – by name तान् ब्रवीमि – will tell them; ते- to you;
Meaning:
O Best of Brahmins, the heroes in our side are also so competent .
Let me now let you know them by names.
Significance:
Duryodhana
, who has been talking of the opposition army a lot, now starts to count the
warriors in his army. Still he uses the word ‘द्विजोत्तम-best among the twice-born.“Dvija” is used to address a Brahmin, Kshatriya,
Vaishya – anyone who wears a sacred thread. He tries to remind Dronacarya that
he is a Brahmin, whose primary work is to teach , but not to earn or to fight
in warfield. If he fails to prove his talent in this war, he will be considered
as a normal twice-born and not the best among them.
Duryodhana uses the word ‘मम
सैन्यस्य – (warriors)of my army’ Dronacarya is the commander of Duryodhana’s
army. He knows all those who are in the army, due to his ‘ego’ Duryodhana now
utters these words which is an insult to his Guru. Insulting one’s Guru is one
of the trait of the foolish people. Duryodhana’s foolishness is exhibited by his
words and actions. By naming or listing the warriors in his army, Duryodhana tries
to regain his confidence that he has got an army or competent warriors.
युधामन्यु: - YudhAmanyu;च – and; विक्रान्त:- Courageous ; उत्तमौजा:-Uttamaujas; च-and; वीर्यवान् - Valourours ; सौभद्र:- Son of Subadhra; च – and; द्रौपदेया: - Sons of Draupadi; च – and; सर्व एव – all are; महारथा: - mahArathis ;
Meaning:
Also there are these courageous
mahArathis – YudhAmanyu , Valourous Uttamaujas , Son of Subadhra and sons of
Draupadi.
Significance:
YudhAmanyu , Uttamauja – Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas
are sons of Drupada, Draupadi’s brothers. They took the role of bodyguards of
Arjuna – YudhAmanyu was placed to the left and Uttamaujas to the right wheel of
Arjuna’s chariot. They fought with Duryodhana, Drona, Karna and Kripacarya in
the war. They were sent in search of Duryodhana when he was hiding in the
water. They were killed by Aswattama in the dark of night.
Son of SubhadhrA, Abhimanyu – Abhimanyu is the Son
of SubhadhrA and Arjuna. He was believed to be the son of Chandra ( moon ). As chandra
couldn’t bear the separation of his son, he granted him a life span of 16
years, it is there is Adi parva. Abhimanyu was married to Uttara. Their son
ParIkshit was the sole survivor of the kuruclan. On the 13th day of
the war, Abhimanyu broke the Chakravyuha and got trapped all alone. He was
killed treacherously by Duryodhana, Dusshashana, Shakuni,Karna, DronacArya, and
many other warriors of the Kaurava army.
Sons of Draupadi:DraupadI had five sons , who were known as
UpapAndava-s. They were raised in PAnchala and Dhrishtadyumna took care of
their education and upbringing.
Prativindya Son of Draupadi and
Yudhistra. During the Mahabharata war he was 24 years old , he killed Karna’s
son Chitrasena.
Satanika Son of Draupadi and
Nakula. He was with Dhrishtadyumna in forming the army.
Sutasoma Son of Draupadi and
Bheema. He was one of the best defenders in the PAndava army. He was given the
responsibility to stop Drona and Aswattama on 15th day.
Srutakriti Son of Draupadi and
Arjuna. Srutakriti was born after the one year exile of Arjuna. Among the four
sons of Arjuna – Abhimanyu , Babhruvahana , Iravan, Srutakriti – Srutakriti is
the youngest.
Srutasena Son of Draupadi and
Sahadeva. He killed Dusshashana’s son as the revenge for the death of
Abhimanyu.
धृष्टकेतुः- Dhrishtaketu , चेकितानः – Chekitana ; काशिराजः – King of Kasi; च – and ; वीर्यवान् – Victorious ; पुरुजित् – Purujit ; कुन्तिभोजः – King KuntiBhoja ; च – and ; शैब्यः – Shaibya ; च – and; नरपुङ्गव: - best of men
Meaning
:
There are also victorious kings like Dhrishtaketu,
Chekitana and the King of Kashi. The best among men - Purujit, KuntiBhoja and
Shaibya are also there.
Significance
:
Dhrishtaketu, the king of Chedi, the elder son
of Sishupala, was a mahArathi. Sishupala was killed by Krishna in Rajasuya yagna. Duryodhana
wondered why Dhrishtaketu was on the side of Pandavas.
Chekitana : Chekitana, a chedi King, a king of
Kekayas, is the son of Dhrishtaketu. His sister Karenumati was married to
Nakula. Chekitana was killed by Duryodhana in the Mahabharata war.
King of Kashi : Kashi, at that time had two kings for
the two lands – Varana and Asi. They are father in laws of bhima and Duryodhana.
Duryodhana’s father-in-law was killed by Krishna. Duryodhana expresses his grief
over that by mentioning the King of Kashi.
Shaibya : King of land Sibi, a great archer. Father-in-law
of Yudhistra. He fought from the "SarvatobhadravyUha"
formed by BhIshma
Purujit : Son of King KuntiBhoja, brother of
Kunti.
KuntiBhoja,cousin of Krishna’s grandfather ShUrasena.
He adopted Pritha , later known as Kunti. He was killed by Dronacarya in the
Mahabharata war.
अत्र – here , शूरा – Brave people, महेष्वासा – great bowmen भीमा-अर्जुन-समा –
equal to Bhima and Arjuna ; युधि – in the battle ; युयुधानो – YuyudhAna; विराटश्च
– KingVirAta; द्रुपदश्च- King Drupada;
महारथ:-Great charioteers
Meaning
:
Here are brave warriors and great bowmen equal to Bhima and Arjuna , the
army also has MahArathis like Yuyudhana, King Virata and King Drupada.
Significance:
The word ‘atra – here’ is used to mention the Pandava army.
Duryodhana attempts to name the warriors in the opposition army. He is always
amused by the skill of Arjuna, and that is one reason for him to keep Karna by
his side. He expresses his thought by the word ‘महेष्वासा- great bowmen’ , with the mention of both Bhima and Arjuna . An armies
strength is determined by the number of Rathis and MahArathis.
Rathi - A person who can fight with 5000 warriors at a time. MahArathi – is a
person who is well versed in ShAstra-s and shastra-s. A mahArathi can fight
with 12 athirathis single handedly ;
Yuyudhana – also known as Satyaki,
is the son of ‘sini’, a yadava king. He is a student of Arjuna, a Adhirathi .
He survived in the Mahabharata yuddha.Virata – King of Matsya , father
of Uttara, Abhimanyu’s wife. It is in his place the Pandavas spent their 1 year
of agyathavasa. He sacrificed his life in the Mahabharata war.Drupada– King of Pancala, son
of ‘Prishata’- who is a friend of Rishi Bharadwaja, disciple of Rishi
Bharadwaja. He is the father of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna. He died in the war
in the hands of Drona.
